Quint Kessenich's Top 25 men's college lacrosse players

1. Rob Pannell, Cornell attackman

Cornell University

The 2011 National Player of the Year has 252 points in 54 career games. He sat out most of 2012 with a broken foot. Cornell has a favorable schedule, and Pannell is surrounded by talent — that bodes well for big stats. He is the country's best dodging attackman from behind the goal who understands the geography of getting to the paint.

The 2011 National Player of the Year has 252 points in 54 career games. He sat out most of 2012 with a broken foot. Cornell has a favorable schedule, and Pannell is surrounded by talent — that bodes well for big stats. He is the country's best dodging attackman from behind the goal who understands the geography of getting to the paint. (Cornell University)

The Portland, Ore., product is the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner. Baum scored 97 points last spring, averaging 5.4 per game. He is a sleek ball carrier who has exceptional shot velocity and accuracy on the run. Baum can dodge from all spots on the field. Very few defenders can handle him one-on-one.

The Portland, Ore., product is the reigning Tewaaraton Award winner. Baum scored 97 points last spring, averaging 5.4 per game. He is a sleek ball carrier who has exceptional shot velocity and accuracy on the run. Baum can dodge from all spots on the field. Very few defenders can handle him one-on-one. (Colgate University Athletics)

A lacrosse game consists of countless plays, but the outcome can hinge on just a small fraction of them. And while heart and hustle do count, those plays will be made more often than not by the team with the superior talent. Here's a look at the 25 players in the country who give their squads the biggest edge: —Quint Kessenich, For The Baltimore Sun